Easton man Rayan Wilson has responded to a statement from Bristol City Council, regarding the decision to not renew his lease for Back2Action at Ashton Court in Bristol.

He describes the statement as “not correct and untrue” and claims the decision is in danger of putting him out of business. Wilson who runs Back2Action has been told he has until December to leave and find new premises.

Rayan Wilson and former Olympic sprint medalist Darren Campbell

The council statement explains the time line of communication, the funding behind renovation works, and the reason behind the decision, which it says is "part of the ongoing strategy by Bristol City Council to identify and develop new commercial income generating opportunities." The full statement can be read at the bottom of this article.

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What is the correct timeline?

Wiilson disputes the time line being presented by Bristol City Council. He claims he was not contacted as early as February. He states, “I was the sole owner and lease holder and I was never contacted in February.” In fact an email was sent not him but, “to my second in command, and was only brought to my attention some time later.”

Ashton Court facility before renovation

He also says that no one from the council contacted him in July, and that the earliest confirmation of the lease not being renewed was on 9th August, where he was told it would fully expire on 19th December 2018.

Ashton Court facility after renovation

Who paid for the renovations?

Relating to the suggestion that any renovations carried out by Back2Action were paid by the council through ‘stepped rent’, Wilson states is, “simply untrue.”

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He claims to have contacted them prior to any renovations, and was encouraged to do so, and would have only done so if ,"I held a realistic expectation that my occupancy would go well beyond the immediate short term. It was on this basis, that I drafted a projection of my business and made my investments.”

Back2Action office at Ashton Court

Any costs incurred are as a result of standing by his decision to be there long term, and “leaves a huge sink in costs and runs the risk of making my employees redundant. And potentially shutting down the organisation.”

Before renovation in Back2Action office at Ashton Court

What the council are looking for?

Wilson stats that he was fed what he calls “untruths”, such as “ we are exactly what the council are looking for on the site,” being told they were ‘great partners who add real value,’ and that "with the investment B2A has put in it would look stupid for the council if they were not to renew our lease.’

Rayan Wilson at African Nations Cup

When did the council really know?

Wilson feels the council may have known about the new development long before they contacted him. He states, “The fact that I have been told that they intend to start building work in early January, indicates “their decision to refuse my lease was never last minute.” and “they just did not have the decency to communicate to me, irrespective of it’s repercussions.”

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He goes on, “I have been persistently chasing the council regarding the lease ‘renewal’ for over 2 years, and they wait until now to tell me."

What support has been offered?

Bristol City council have offered two alternative facilities to Wilson. He acknowledges this, but claims that both are " not suitable for my needs, and require significant renovation." The equipment and spec in which he has renovated Ashton Court is "very specialised and not all transportable."

One of the council facilities that was offered, Bristol Live understands, was previously a public toilet, and the other is inside a closed allotment.

New facility offered to Back2Action - public toilet by Ashton Park

Facility offered to Back2Action - in closed allotment in Stapleton

What do Bristol City Council intend to do with Ashton Court mansion?

At this stage this seems unclear. Bristol City Council only say it will be used to develop 'commercial income.' In a letter sent to local residents around Ashton Court from the council that Bristol Live has seen, it talks of building a "People's Palace for the benefit of all Bristolians." The facility will be kept as a council controlled asset, not sold to a commercial organisation, and "remain in public ownership and use."

Ashton Court Mansion House

What outcome would Back2Action ideally want?

“In an ideal world I would like a 2 year extension. At the very least an extension until July 2019 which allows me time to plan and prepare for this change.”

Rayan Wilson working with Joe Bryan

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And in terms of the money he claims to have spent, he would like the council to “reassess the huge cost I have had to absorb” either by assisting financially in effecting the move, supporting potential renovation of any news site, or meeting the initial cost of refurbishment."

All of this is as a result of what he calls a “poor and inconsiderate decision.”

Bristol City Council statement in full

"In February 2018 we contacted the owners of the Back 2 Action Gym to inform them that the council may not renew their lease, as other options for the site were being explored.

"We then contacted the business owners in July 2018 to confirm that the council would not be renewing the lease.

"The lease is not being renewed because we are planning to use the space ourselves to generate more income that supports the estate. This is part of the ongoing strategy by Bristol City Council to identify and develop new commercial income generating opportunities.

"Essential works took place to convert the building from a café to a gym. These works were paid for by the council, through 'stepped rent', and not at the cost of the tenant.

"Council officers have been in contact with the Back 2 Action Gym business owners to help the commercial tenants find new premises and have let them know about other premises within Parks that are available."